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PG&E Signs Pact to Purchase Plug-in Hybrid SUVs From Raser

(Wireless News Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)
Pacific Gas and Electric Company announced it has entered into an
agreement with Raser Technologies for the purchase and demonstration of
two plug-in series hybrid electric sport utility vehicles (SUV).

The vehicles are designed to achieve over 100 miles per gallon (mpg) in
typical daily driving, while operating in near zero emission mode.

"PG&E is a strong advocate of plug-in hybrid vehicles and has been
working with Raser as co-founders of the Plug-in Hybrid Development
Consortium for the past two years, with the goal to accelerate a
pathway for PHEV commercialization," said Andrew Tang, senior director
of smart energy web at PG&E. "We are very excited to team with Raser to
be the first utility to take delivery on these breakthrough plug-in
series hybrid vehicles. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are a
practical solution to meet the challenges associated with climate
change by reducing fuel costs, greenhouse gas emissions and our
dependency on petroleum-based fuels."

Initially, PG&E will purchase two plug-in hybrid SUVs from Raser for
demonstration and testing, with the goal to integrate additional PHEVs
into its fleet in the future. The PHEVs are expected to cut operational
fuel costs up to 75 percent by driving in all-electric mode during
typical daily fleet routes of up to 40 miles. When driving beyond the
40-mile battery electric range, the PHEVs may continue up to 400 miles
by generating their own electricity. The fleet PHEVs are also expected
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to nearly zero during local daily
driving. PG&E plans to plug in the vehicles at night, when energy
demand is lowest, to maximize emission reductions and fuel savings for
daily routes. Subsequent versions are expected to provide emergency
mobile power from the vehicles onboard 100 kW generator to assist in
power outages or provide mobile power for work and repairs.

"Raser's proprietary plug-in series architecture and electric
powertrain are what allows full size SUVs and light trucks to
potentially achieve over 100 mpg with near zero emissions. We applaud
PG&E's leadership in green fleets and in clean renewable power. We look
forward to working with PG&E to demonstrate PHEV vehicles that can help
them continue to set the standard for clean air and renewable energy,"
said David West, vice president of Raser Technologies and co-founder of
the Plug-in Hybrid Development Consortium.

Raser has established PHEV development agreements with a global
automaker and an automotive integrator to build a 100 mpg plug-in
hybrid electric SUV using Raser's proprietary electric drive system and
Symetron technology. SUVs and light trucks are the highest selling
class of vehicles in the U.S. and also have the potential for the most
improvement in emissions reductions and fuel economy. Raser also plans
to offer 100-plus mpg plug-in hybrid SUVs and light trucks to other
fleets through manufacturing partners for early demonstration.

"We look forward to showing how beneficial PHEVs can be for the
environment by demonstrating them in our own fleet, and hope many of
our customers will follow our lead to green up their fleets as well,"
said Efrain Ornelas, environmental technical supervisor of clean air
transportation at PG&E.